Life-saving Hodgkin lymphoma treatment now available on PBS

Publish Date: 1/4/2017

Participants of two Leukaemia Foundation surveys have helped inform the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee of the benefits of brentuximab vedotin, a potentially life-saving treatment for Australians diagnosed with a form of Hodgkin lymphoma*, supporting its listing on the PBS from April 1.

The PBS listing of brentuximab
vedotin gives individuals with a rare sub-type of Hodgkin lymphoma access to potentially
life-saving treatments that previously cost between $7,400 and $16,100 for a
course.

Committed to improving
the lives of people living with blood cancer the Leukaemia Foundation presented
comprehensive consumer submissions to assist the Pharmaceutical Benefits
Advisory Committee in its consideration of the two applications for brentuximab
vedotin.

The Leukaemia Foundation
undertook two surveys, the first in 2015 and another in 2016, seeking quality
of life information from people living with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin
lymphoma with 69 respondents providing insights into the severe and
debilitating impact their diagnosis, or that of a loved one, had had on their
life, work and career.

They also highlighted the
significant inequities in accessing the latest available treatment with some
people provided with the treatment on compassionate grounds while others had to
raise substantial funds.

Those who could access brentuximab vedotin reported less
disruption to their lifestyle as a result of fewer side-effects, that the
treatment offered a bridge to transplant and the chance to stay alive and
survive Hodgkin lymphoma.

Leukaemia Foundation of
Australia CEO Bill Petch said the decision to list brentuximab vedotin on the PBS is truly wonderful news for people
living with Hodgkin lymphoma and ensure equal access to the life-saving
treatment for all Australians who require it.

“The PBS listing of brentuximab
vedotin is wonderful news for
people with Hodgkin lymphoma and this achievement demonstrates a successful united-front
approach,” said Bill. “Together we can help elevate the vital needs of people
impacted by a blood cancer diagnosis and achieve great outcomes for more
Australian families.”

Each year in Australian, around 600 people are
diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and while it can occur at any age, it is most
common in adolescents and young adults.

For many, a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma impacts
on every single aspect of their life and a life-saving treatment like brentuximab vedotin can become, quite
literally, a matter of life or death.

Annamaria Gregorace (pictured) of NSW was diagnosed with
Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 19. After chemotherapy and a stem cell
transplant she enjoyed a couple of good years before relapsing in 2016. The
Keynote 204 trial of brentuximab
vedotin proved to be ‘the best treatment by a long shot’.

“I’m very excited to hear access to brentuimab vedotin has
been expanded on the PBS,” said Annamaria. “It proved to be such an easy
treatment - and if it can work as well for others as it did for me - then this
is a great result for people with Hodgkin lymphoma.”

For Jonathon Tarascio of Melbourne, Victoria, the whole
experience of Hodgkin lymphoma has been ‘a rollercoaster ride” and an expensive
one at that. Four cycles of brentuximab vedotin cost Jonathon (and his generous
parents, extended family and friends) $42,000. It didn’t work but Jonathon is
responding well to immunotherapy and he says it is important to keep trying and
to be open to new therapies.

“The PBS listing of brentuximab
vedotin not only gives Hodgkin lymphoma patients access to advanced treatments
without financial limitations, but it also provides hope,” said Jonathon.
“Imagine, knowing there is a novel and relatively successful therapy available,
but being denied access because it's unaffordable.”

The Leukaemia Foundation is committed to improving
the lives of people living with blood cancer and this is a great example of how
collaboration is helping to make a real difference.

*The
listings are for the following two patient groups:-
patients with relapsed or refractory CD30 + Hodgkin
lymphoma following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)-
patients with relapsed or refractory CD30 + Hodgkin lymphoma following at
least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a
treatment option.

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